Pneumatic blow-off system and method of operation thereof
AssigneeGary A. Poborsky
InventorsRichard M. Lamm, Ronald Lefebvre
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pneumatic blow-off system includes a three-way valve having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. A primary air conduit is connected between the first outlet and a fluidizing bin and a mixing air conduit is connected between the primary air conduit and a mixing bin which is in fluid communication with the fluidizing bin. A discharge conduit connects the mixing bin and a venturi assembly. A secondary air conduit is connected between the second outlet of the three-way valve and the venturi assembly.
Claims15
A pneumatic blow-off system for a tank comprising:
- a three-way valve having an inlet adapted to be in flow communication with a blower, a first outlet, and a second outlet;
- a fluidizing bin adapted to be in flow connection with a tank and a mixing bin in flow connection with said fluidizing bin;
- a primary air conduit having a first end connected to said first outlet of said three-way valve and a distal end connected to said fluidizing bin;
- a mixing air conduit having a first end connected to said primary air conduit and a second end connected to said mixing bin;
- a discharge conduit in flow communication with said mixing bin;
- a venturi assembly;
- a distal end of said discharge conduit being in flow communication with said venturi assembly;
- and
- a secondary air conduit in flow communication with said second outlet of said three-way valve and a distal end of said secondary air conduit connected to said venturi assembly;
- wherein said fluidizing bin includes a semicylindrical baffle having a curved surface which curves away from said distal end of said primary air conduit, wherein air passing through said primary air conduit is directed against the curved surface which imparts a swirling motion thereto.
A method of pneumatically discharging material from a tank having a blow-off system having a primary air conduit and a secondary air conduit, said method comprising the steps of:
- supplying air to said primary air conduit and to said secondary air conduit in said blow-off system;
- directing a first portion of said air from said primary air conduit into a mixing bin containing said material and against a semicylindrical baffle having a curved surface which curves away from a distal end of said primary air conduit contained in the mixing bin;
- directing a mixture of said first portion of said air and said material from said mixing bin into a discharge conduit;
- and
- arranging a distal end of said discharge conduit and a distal end of said secondary air conduit to produce a venturi effect.
A pneumatic blow-off system including a primary air conduit and a secondary air conduit, and further comprising:
- means for supplying air to said primary air conduit and said secondary air conduit;
- a mixing bin adapted to be connected in flow communication with a tank to receive material from said tank;
- means for directing a first portion of the air from said primary air conduit into said mixing bin containing a portion of said material and against a semicylindrical baffle having a curved surface which curves away from a distal end of the primary air conduit and causing said first portion of the air to be further mixed;
- a discharge conduit;
- means for directing a mixture of said first portion of air from said primary air conduit and said material from said mixing bin into said discharge conduit;
- and
- means for arranging a distal end of said discharge conduit and a distal end of said secondary air conduit to produce a venturi effect.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.